Woman to follow the process to obtain re-entry visa

FIJI'S High Commissioner to India Yogesh Karan has confirmed the Fijian woman stranded in India over the past four years will have to follow the full process of getting a re-entry visa.

Mr Karan said according to the records kept at the mission, Savita Devi, 41, had travelled to India in 2009 and had been staying in Bangalore.

As the requirements of the Indian Government, any foreigner wanting to stay in India for more than 180 days must register themselves as per the regulations of the Indian Government's Immigration Department. The registration must take place in the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within the Indian Bureau of Immigration within 14 days of arrival.

However, this law does not apply for visitors visiting India for less than 180 days.

Mr Karan further explained that in order for Ms Devi to leave India, she first has to "make appropriate submissions to the FRR office".

He said if a foreigner had violated that particular section of the regulation, the foreigner was required "to pay certain penalty with justification to any of the violated provisions for the issued visa".

Mr Karan confirmed the matter was raised by Ms Devi and her sister Shanti Pillay when Mrs Pillay visited her sister in India in September last year.